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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/14/2013 9:53:44 AM Home School Legal Defense Association Struggling Learners--Building a Network of Support |
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---------------------------------------------------------------- HSLDA's Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner Newsletter February 2013--Building a Network of Support for Families Homeschooling Children with Special Needs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---[ The program that takes the struggle out of reading! ]------------ All About Reading makes it easy for your student to learn, and it's easy for you to teach. The multisensory approach makes it easy for kids to understand. Everything is planned out for you with "open and go" lesson plans. Comes with a full year satisfaction guarantee! http://www.hslda.org/alink.asp?id=586 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- By the HSLDA Special Needs Consultants Recently, we have had many inquiries about how to find support groups and local resources that are specific to special needs. One mother shared her heart's cry, stating, "I need more than an expert to give me suggestions; I need friends with which to meet regularly." Are there others out there who have this same need? I'm sure there are. While many families are already involved in a homeschool support group, our department often hears from parents who say that they don't feel like their family "fits in." They sense others within their support group may not understand or cannot relate to their unique challenges associated with home educating a child with special needs, particularly students with severe behavioral and learning needs, such as children on the autism spectrum, Down syndrome, or behavioral disorders. At other times, members report that their children are not included in the group, requests for accommodations are not met by co-op teachers, and a general lack of understanding or compassion seems to exist. When we hear these things, it saddens us because we know that families are hurting and in need of support, community, encouragement, and a "safe place." We think for the most part, it is not that people intend to disenfranchise and treat those with learning differences, physical, behavioral, or mental challenges badly, but rather are acting out of fear, lack of knowledge, insecurity, or are quite frankly unsure of how to help. We would like to encourage folks who are involved in support groups and co-ops to follow Jesus' admonition to "let all the children come." Places to find support groups: 1. Look for online support groups, chat groups, bulletin board discussion groups, and blogs. While these definitely are not the same as having a support system in your own neighborhood, they can still be a good way to find ideas, exchange experiences, and to connect with others who are walking a similar path. Here are a couple to check out: Yahoo Groups http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17192 Special Needs Homeschooling on Facebook http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17193 2. One can also find private learning consultants who offer support and resources for families. Many will offer consultations from a distance, via web-cam, phone, and email exchanges. Here are a few, very well-known private consultants who offer support and resources: > Joyce Herzog, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17194 > Sharon Hensley, Almaden Valley Christian School, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17195 > Dianne Craft, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17196 > Judith Munday, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17197 > Kathy Kuhl, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17198 > Eckenwiler Family, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17199 Places to Find Support Groups: > Respite Care--Nathaniel's Hope, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17200 > Check out local churches--many have disabilities ministries > NATHHAN/CHASK--National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17201 > Key Ministry, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17202 ; their mission is to help churches serve families impacted by disability. > HSLDA's Support Groups lists, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17203 > Be sure to check out HSLDA's Teaching Tips blog post titled "Making Connections" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17204 Recommended Books: > Just the Way I Am: God's Good Design in Disability by Krista Horning http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17205 > Let All the Children Come To Me: A Practical Guide to Including Children with Disabilities in Your Church by MaLesa Breeding http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17206 > Home Schooling Children with Special Needs by Sharon Hensley http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17207 > Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine Field http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17208 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Extreme makeovers are for extreme circumstances... Most homeschools don't need an extreme makeover, but there is something to be said for attention to detail and recognition of accomplishments. Watch the media and you'll soon see that not everyone wants home educators and homeschooling to look good. HSLDA works hard to shed light on the good work of home educators so it's obvious that we don't need someone "making-over" our homeschools. Join HSLDA and help us show the world that we're fine as we are . . . thank you! More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1943 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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